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The Duchy of Oświęcim (Duchy of Auschwitz) was a Polish duchy with its capital in Oświęcim, established around 1315. It was one of many Duchies of Silesia.

It was created in the aftermath of the 12th century fragmentation of Poland. Its lands were a part of the larger Duchy of Cieszyn (Duchy of Teschen) until the Duchy of Oświęcim was split off Duchy of Cieszyn as a separate entity in 1315 and Władysław I Oświęcimski becomes its first Duke.

In 1445 the duchies Zator and Toszek were created from some the lands of Duchy of the Oświęcim. At first the Duchy of Oświęcim fell under the Bohemian sphere of influence, but was reunited with Poland in 1454, when the last prince of Oświęcim, Jan IV Oświęcimski, declared himself to be a vassal of Polish king Kazimierz IV Jagiellończyk; 3 years later he sold his Duchy to Kazimierz.

At the Sejm of 1564, king Sigismund August issues privileges of incorporation recognizing both Duchies of Oświęcim and Zator as part of the Crown of Polish Kingdom, voivodeship of Kraków (although they retained their ducal titles).

Oświęcim and the lands of the former Duchy would become part of the Austrian Empire after the first partition of Poland, and were reattached to Poland in 1918.

References

1. The History of the City of Oswiecim www.auschwitz.org.pl (based on "Auschwitz 1940-1945. Central Issues in the History of the Camp", published by the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum, Poland)

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